Ruth: a Bible Storatorio Lydia Hu Chaffee Seattle Pacific Nu Iversity

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Spring June 3rd, 2017 Ruth: A Bible Storatorio Lydia Hu Chaffee Seattle Pacific nU iversity

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RUTH: A BIBLE STORATORIO

LYDIA CHAFFEE

FACULTY ADVISOR, RAMONA HOLMES SECOND READER, STEPHEN NEWBY

A project submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the University Scholars Program

Seattle Pacific University

2017

Approved______

Date______

Table of Contents:

Introduction 2

List of Performers 4

List of Songs 5

Act I 6

Act II 16

Act III 34

Act IV 42

Appendix: Song Sources 55

Introduction “Ruth: A Bible Storatorio” is a combination of a narrated bible story and sung oratorio, designed for youth and adults alike to perform and enjoy. It emphasizes the theme of welcoming the stranger into a loving, God-honoring community. The Bible Storatorio contains multicultural folk tunes as well as original songs, arranged and composed for choral and solo songs, set to the charming text of the book of Ruth. It is quite natural that I was inspired to write this Bible Storatorio as an undergraduate honors project at Seattle Pacific University, since it combines several of my interests and passions as a Christian and as a musician: the book of Ruth with its sweet story of love and loyalty, the King James Version of scripture with its beautiful literary style, folk songs from countries around the world, and composing and arranging music for choral and solo singing. I enjoyed the process of collecting folk songs for this project. I sifted through library collections to find and listen to CD’s of Jewish and Israeli folk music, I flipped through delightfully illustrated children’s books with collections of Spanish and Korean folk songs, I browsed online recordings of Iranian Farsi worship songs, and I also looked back into my own memory to select Chinese and Taiwanese songs that my Taiwanese mother had taught me growing up. Some of the folk songs I arranged were ones I had sung in choirs myself: such as the Jewish song Shalom Chaverim, the Romanian Christmas carol used for “In Bethlehem.” Others are more well known, as in the Irish folk tune known best in the song “Danny Boy.” No matter what source these songs come from, they are representations of the rich music from unique cultures. In my arrangements, I sought to keep the songs as close as possible to the original contexts in which I found them, including the musical meters and style of accompaniments. As often as I could, I also matched the topic and meaning of the folk song lyrics in its original language with the topic and meaning of the new Ruth lyrics that I set to the music. I would encourage future directors of this Storatorio to research the musical origin and context of these multicultural folk songs. This will allow performers to better appreciate the unique meaning and beauties of these songs from cultures other than our own. When I was the composing original songs in this Storatorio, my songwriting process was primarily guided by the scriptural text. I kept the song lyrics as close as I could to the scriptural text, only paraphrasing when necessary for the sake of musical rhythm and rhyme. Two of my favorite melodies that I composed for the Storatorio— “Grace in Your Eyes” and “I Cannot Redeem It”— were inspired directly by the poetic King James text. Although I drew from several different Bible translations to write the lyrics of the Storatorio songs, I primarily drew from the King James version. I dearly love the Old English of the King James text. It is the version I grew up with, and the one I still prefer to read even today in 21st century life. I believe it is beneficial especially for young people today to study and appreciate the rich literature of the 18th century. Instead of shying away from the Old English with its outdated or difficult-to-read terminology, I believe future directors of this Storatorio should help young people learn and embrace the unfamiliar language of this beautiful text. I chose the book of Ruth as the composition material for several reasons. Ruth is one of my favorite female characters in the Bible, because of her courage, loyalty, humility, and virtuous character. I connect personally to the story of Ruth, and can easily compare some of the relationships between characters in the story with relationships in my own life. It has themes that are valuable for a Christian community to learn and apply. There is much to learn about intergenerational relationships in the book— the old and the young helping each other for mutual

benefit. For example, Ruth works to support Naomi, and Naomi gives Ruth helpful advice to gain a husband. Too often, our society and even our churches have separated youth from older generations in everything from education to entertainment, and we miss out on beautiful rewards of intergenerational community. This Bible Storatorio is designed so that both adults and youth can perform it together, and enjoy an intergenerational experience through rehearsing and performing this musical production. The music is simple enough even for children to learn, yet the content and meaning is spiritually engaging even for adults. I would encourage future performers to recruit a mix of ages rather than a single age group for the performance. I also was deeply drawn to the grace-filled conversations throughout the story. Each song in this Storatorio is based on meaningful words spoken by the characters to one another, in both personal conversations or speeches to a group of people. There is much that Christians can learn about how to speak to one another as a God-honoring and hospitable community. For example, Naomi, Boaz, and Ruth all bring Lord’s name into their conversations and bless others in the Lord’s name, both in hard times and in joyous times, in daily interactions and in important community events. The rich (Boaz) and the poor (Ruth) alike converse with humility and courtesy. However, it is very important to recognize that these characters did not simply use kindness and godliness in speech, but also in action. They practiced hesed, the Hebrew term for the kind of faithful and active love that God Himself demonstrates to mankind, in their daily interactions— choosing to remain in a loving relationship instead of leaving for a better personal opportunity (Ruth); providing work and food to those in need (Boaz); using one’s own power and wealth to protect the vulnerable from harm and exploitation (Boaz); inviting a foreigner to share a meal and become part of a group (Boaz and reapers); seeking and planning ways to provide long-term economic stability for another person (Naomi); promptly and responsibly handling business and personal transactions (Boaz); coming as a community alongside individuals to rejoice with them or support them in important events (Women and Elders of the city). While learning the music of this Storatorio, it is important also to discuss the valuable life applications we can learn from the content of the lyrics. My hope with Ruth: A Bible Storatorio is twofold: first that that it will allow adults and youth in Christian communities to grow spiritually, encouraging each other to actively practice hesed in daily interactions, being especially aware of the vulnerable foreigner in their community; and second that it will allow the performers to appreciate and value songs from foreign cultures, and consequently value and love individuals from those and other cultures that are other than their own. As issues regarding immigration and refugees create tension in our present politics and society, we will do well as Christians to look to the scriptural model we find in the book of Ruth, with its characters welcoming and caring for the foreigner among them, and remember that Ruth the foreigner herself became the ancestor of Jesus Christ in God’s story of salvation.

Lydia Chaffee

Ruth: A Bible Storatorio

Lydia Chaffee Composed June 2016- 2017

Script and Songs

Main Roles: • Ruth (solos) • Boaz (solos) • Naomi (solos) Supporting Roles: • Elimelech (reading only) • Mahlon & Chilion (reading only) • Orpah (duet with Ruth) • Servant (duet with Boaz) • Kinsman (duet with Boaz) • Woman (Solo with Women) • Choir. Subgroups: Women, Reapers, Elders/City Gate

Instrumentation: • Band: Piano, Guitar, Bass, optional drums • Other: Tambourine (opening, closing, and transition between acts), Flute, Erhu (or violin), Folk Guitar

List of Songs: Act I 1. In Bethlehem (Choir- All) 2. Return to Your Homes (Naomi, Ruth/Orpah, Choir- All) 3. Ask Me Not (Ruth) 4. Why Call Me by My Name (Naomi, Choir- Women)

Act II 5. Let Me Go (Ruth, Naomi, Choir- All) 6. The Lord be with You (Boaz, Choir- All) 7./8. My Daughter, Come (Servant, Boaz, Ruth, Choir- Reapers) Grace in Your Eyes (Ruth, Boaz) 9. Come Dip Your Bread (Boaz, Reaper solos, Choir- Reapers) 10. Let Her Glean (Boaz) 11. Where Did You Work? (Naomi, Ruth)

Act III 12. Go Now, My Daughter (Naomi, Ruth) 13. All That You Say To Me (Ruth, Choir- Women, Children) 14. Now Art Thou Blessed (Boaz) 15. Sit Still, My Daughter (Naomi, Choir- Women)

Act IV 16. I Cannot Redeem It (Boaz, Kinsman) 17./18. Ye All Are Witnesses (Boaz) We All Shall Be Thy Witnesses (Choir- Elders & All) 19. Blessed Be the Lord (Solo Woman, Choir- Women) 20. In Bethlehem: Reprise (Choir- All)

Ruth: A Bible Storatorio

Lydia Chaffee 2017

Act I

Elimelech: Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.

And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

And the name of the man was Elimelech,

Naomi: and the name of his wife Naomi,

Mahlon and Chilion: and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion,

All Family: Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah.

Choir: (1. IN BETHLEHEM)

Elimelech: And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Naomi: And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Mahlon and Chilion: And they took them wives of the women of Moab;

Orpah: the name of the one was Orpah,

Ruth: and the name of the other Ruth:

All Family: and they dwelled there about ten years.

Mahlon/Chilion: And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them;

Naomi: and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread.

Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was,

Orpah/Ruth: and her two daughters in law with her;

Naomi/Orpah/Ruth: and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah.

Naomi: Go, return each to her mother's house: the LORD deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me.

Naomi: (2. RETURN TO YOUR HOME)

Naomi (spoken AFTER VERSE 2 CHORUS): Then she kissed them;

Ruth/Orpah: and they lifted up their voice, and wept.

(CONTINUE CHORUS>> VERSE 3)

Naomi (spoken AFTER VERSE 3): Turn again, my daughters, go your way; for I am too old to have an husband. If I should say, I have hope, if I should have an husband also to night, and should also bear sons;

Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters.

(TO VERSE 4)

Orpah/Ruth: And they lifted up their voice, and wept again:

Orpah: and Orpah kissed her mother in law;

Ruth: but Ruth clave unto her.

Naomi: Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.

Ruth: (3. ASK ME NOT)

Naomi: When she saw that she was steadfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her.

Naomi/Ruth: So they two went until they came to Bethlehem.

Naomi: And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them,

City: Is this Naomi?

Naomi: Call me not Naomi, call me Mara:

Naomi: (4. WHY CALL ME BY MY NAME?)

Naomi: So Naomi returned,

Ruth: and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab:

Naomi/Ruth: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

Act II

Boaz: And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.

Ruth: (5. OH, LET ME GO NOW)

Ruth: And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Servant: And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers,

Boaz: The LORD be with you.

Reapers: The LORD bless thee.

Boaz/Reapers: (6. THE LORD BLESS YOU)

Servant: Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers,

Boaz: Whose damsel is this?

Servant: It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:

Servant: (7. MY DAUGHTER, COME & 8. GRACE IN YOUR EYES)

Boaz: At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar.

Boaz: (9. COME DIP YOUR BREAD)

Ruth: And she sat beside the reapers:

Boaz: and he reached her parched corn,

Ruth: and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.

And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying,

Boaz: (10. LET HER GLEAN)

Ruth: So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.

And she took it up, and went into the city:

Naomi: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned:

Ruth: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.

Naomi: (11. WHERE DID YOU WORK TODAY?)

Ruth: He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.

Naomi: It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.

Ruth: So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

Act III

Naomi: My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshingfloor.

Naomi/Ruth: (12. GO NOW, MY DAUGHTER)

Naomi: And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

Ruth: (13. ALL THAT YOU SAY TO ME)

Ruth: And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.

Boaz: And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn:

Ruth: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

Boaz: And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself:

Ruth: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.

Boaz: Who art thou?

Ruth: I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.

Boaz: (14. NOW ART THOU BLESSED)

Ruth: And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another.

Boaz:

(to all) Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.

(to Ruth) Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it.

Ruth: And when she held it,

Boaz: he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her:

Ruth: and she went into the city.

And when she came to her mother in law, she said,

Naomi: Who art thou, my daughter?

Ruth:

(to all) And she told her all that the man had done to her.

(to Naomi) These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law.

Naomi: (15. SIT STILL MY DAUGHTER)

Act IV

Boaz: Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: Kinsman: And, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by;

Boaz: Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here.

Kinsman: And he turned aside, and sat down.

Boaz: And he took ten men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here.

Elders: And they sat down.

Boaz (to Kinsman): Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's:

And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee.

Kinsman/Boaz: (16. I CANNOT REDEEM IT)

Boaz: Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.

Kinsman: Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.

Boaz [unto the elders, and unto all the people]:

Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi.

Moreover Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day.

Boaz: (17. YE ALL ARE WITNESSES & 18. WE ALL SHALL BE THEY WITNESSES)

Boaz: So Boaz took Ruth,

Ruth: and she was his wife:

Boaz: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception,

Ruth: and she bare a son.

Solo Woman: And the women said unto Naomi,

Choir-Women/Solo Woman: (19. BLESSED BE THE LORD ALMIGHTY)

Solo Woman (spoken after VERSE 2, while women hum the chorus melody):

For thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

Naomi: And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

Solo Woman: And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying,

All Women: There is a son born to Naomi;

Solo Woman: and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Choir: (1. IN BETHLEHEM Vs. 3)

Boaz: (AFTER VERSE 3)

(Spoken) Now these are the generations of Pharez: Pharez begat Hezron,

And Hezron begat Ram, and Ram begat Amminadab, And Amminadab

begat Nahshon, and Nahshon begat Salmon, And Salmon begat Boaz, and

Boaz begat Obed, And Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David.

Appendix: List of folk song, melody, language, and lyrics sources

1. In Bethlehem (also 20. In Bethlehem- Reprise) În Betleem azi E o mare minune (“Tonight, in Bethlehem, a great miracle has occurred”) Traditional Romanian Christmas Carol. Romanian. Lyrics based on Ruth 1:1-2, 4:17

2. Return to Your Home Shalom Chaverim (“Goodbye, Dear Friends”) Israeli Folk Song. Hebrew. Lyrics based on Ruth 1:8-13

3. Ask Me Not to Depart 望春風/Bang Chun Hong (“Longing for the Spring Breeze” 1933). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJy93zskV6Q Taiwanese Hokkien song, composer: Teng Yu-hsien, words: Lee Lim-chhui. Taiwanese/Hokkien. Lyrics based on Ruth 1:16-17

4. Why Call Me By My Name? Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2015 Lyrics based on Ruth 1:20-21

5. Oh, Let Me Go Now Every Time I Feel the Spirit African American Spiritual. English. Lyrics based on Ruth 2:2

6. The Lord Bless You Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2016 Lyrics based on Ruth 2:4

7. My Daughter, Come Erets Hacarmel (“The Land of Carmel”). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1t2cax0WYU Israeli Folk Song. Hebrew. Lyrics based on Ruth 2:6-9, 11, 13 8. Grace in Your Eyes Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2016 Lyrics based on Ruth 2:10, 12

9. Come Dip Your Bread Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2016 Lyrics based on Ruth 2:14

10. Let Her Glean Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2017 Lyrics based on Ruth 15-16

11. Where Did You Work Today? 도라지/Doraji (“Bellflower”) Traditional Korean song. Lyrics based on Ruth 2:19-20

12. Go Now, My Daughter 掀起你的蓋頭來/ xiān qǐ le nǐ de gài tou lái (“Lift Up Your Veil and Let Me See Your Face”) Traditional Uyghur folk song from the Xinjiang province of China. Translated to Chinese and poplularized by Wong Luobin (1913-1996). Lyrics based on Ruth 3:3

13. All That You Say to Me Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2017 Lyrics based on Ruth 3:5

14. Now Art Thou Blessed of the Lord Londonderry Air Irish folk tune. Well known song with this tune: “Danny Boy” in English. Lyrics based on Ruth 3:10-13

15. Sit Still, My Daughter Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2016. Melody inspired by the hymn “Peace, Perfect Peace,” music by George T. Caldbeck (1852-1918) Lyrics based on Ruth 3:18

16. I Cannot Redeem It Original music by Lydia Chaffee, 2017. Lyrics based on Ruth 4:4-6

17. Ye All Are Witnesses Adon Olam (“Eternal Lord”) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8EAfsysIG0 Israeli Folk Tune. Lyrics based on Ruth 4:9, 11 18. We All Shall Be Thy Witnesses (”Lord, You Know“) آﮔﺎھﯽ ﺧﺪاوﻧﺪا ﺗﻮ Farsi Worship Song. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7XsBD2Jzxo Lyrics based on Ruth 4:10-12

19. Blessed Be the Lord Almighty A La Nanita, Nana Spanish Christmas Lulluby, song composed by Ecuadorian Segundo Cueva Celi (1901-1969) Lyrics based on Ruth 4:14-15